Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region

The Greater Whitsunday region spans an area of more 90,000 km2, has a permanent regional population of more than 170,000 and contributes more than $16 billion to the national economy. The economy of the Greater Whitsunday region is as diverse as it is wide and has a proven track record as a region for not only growth and Greater Whitsunday Alliance prosperity but also resilience. is the peak, independent economic development and advocacy body for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.

Our vision is simple: Making the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region strong for generations.

The Isaac region is home to the Bowen Basin, Technology and Service (METS) industries and the housing the largest coal mining deposits in Australia. Whitsundays is a world-class tourism destination The majority of Queensland’s prime coking coal attracting more than a million visitors annually. The reserves are mined here, including the highest-grade Greater Whitsunday region also boasts a strong metallurgical coal in the world. Mackay is the centre of agribusiness sector and is one of the nation’s largest one of Australia’s most developed Mining Equipment, sugar and bio commodity producers.

To keep moving in a positive direction, continued investment in infrastructure, liveability projects and new projects is vital. This region is not looking for handouts but rather, hand-ups to create a positive, strong future for our important regional communities.

• Continued mining exploration in the region • Adoption of a clearer definition of ‘local’ to support regional communities Executive Summary • Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area • Superyachts To ensure the continued growth and development of the Greater Whitsunday • Flood mitigation of the Bruce Highway at region, Greater Whitsunday Alliance is seeking Goorganga Plains commitment from both the State and Federal • Flood mitigation of Proserpine Shute Harbour Governments for the following Supporting Road at Hamilton Plains Prosperity and Enabling Infrastructure projects: • Upgrades to the Peak Downs Highway • Urannah Water Scheme

2 Regional Priorities Greater Whitsunday Alliance Greater Whitsunday Alliance Regional Priorities 3 Policy Area: Supporting Prosperity Better practice definition of local

Summary: to help establish and grow local supply chains and develop Greater Whitsunday Alliance recommends State and Federal regional economies for the benefit of industry, workforce and Governments, and industry adopt and implement a better the community. Currently there is a loose and inconsistent practice definition of local and associated local definition of local and a need for clear definitions of both content policy. ‘local’ as a business and ‘local’ in terms of a region. For some industry and governments, local can be defined as ‘Australian Background: and New Zealand’ whilst others will determine a strict, The recent Queensland Local Content Leaders Network arbitrary geographical boundary. Research shows that having (QLCLN) Local Procurement Model Positioning Paper, states a broad definition of local dilutes the benefits for regional local content policies, are an important regional policy tool areas.

Opportunity: Adopt a more refined definition of ‘local’ and a better ‘local’ geographical region. A stronger and more robust definition of ‘local’ and associated local content strategies, will build local industry and business capabilities and capacities for regional communities.

Policy Area: Supporting Prosperity The future of the Resources Sector

Summary: Opportunity: Greater Whitsunday Alliance urges all levels of government In addition to the thousands of direct and indirect construction to support continued investment into resources exploration and operational jobs which will be created by multiple projects and projects to create sustainability and prosperity for across future resources sector projects there are a range of communities in the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region. other important considerations including: Exploration is fundamental to the future of the mining • The METS sector will directly benefit resulting in more jobs and resource industry but also provides confidence to the and increased innovation and investment in R&D across thousands of regional Queenslanders whose jobs, business the sector. and community relies on continued exploration and expansion • Improvements to supply chain enhancement roads and of the resources sectors. other major infrastructure in the Greater Whitsunday region. Source: SC Lennon & Associates Background: • Investment in regional communities for social and The Greater Whitsunday region is critical to the future of the economic development. resources sector given the proximity to the Bowen and Galilee • Increased business opportunities in the resources sector Basins. The Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region is recognized through research and development. as a regional economic powerhouse and requires continued • Potentially opens up Abbot Point State Development Area to Supporting a more defined local definition has many benefits including: support in order to achieve future growth for the benefit of new and existing industry and agricultural providers across • Sustainable regional communities • Increased employment opportunities all Australians. the region through multi-use rail and port agreements • Increased R &D investment • Improved retention of young people within in the regions.

Action: Action: Continued support for the resources sector to create sustainability and prosperity for communities Adopt, implement and champion better practice definition of local and local content policy for both government in the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region. and industry.

4 Regional Priorities Greater Whitsunday Alliance Greater Whitsunday Alliance Regional Priorities 5 Policy Area: Supporting Prosperity Policy Area: Supporting Prosperity Mackay Waterfront Priority International superyachts Development Area (PDA)

Summary: Summary: Greater Whitsunday Alliance calls on the State and Federal Governments to support the development and delivery of public The Greater Whitsunday region is home to a number of world class marinas. However, current legislation prohibits foreign realm improvements and economic initiatives in the Mackay Waterfront PDA through direct and grant application funding. flagged superyachts from chartering in Australia. Greater Whitsunday Alliance calls on the Federal Government to change current Charter legislation or develop new Charter legislation to allow foreign flagged superyachts to charter in Australia. Background: The Mackay Waterfront PDA is centrally located within the Mackay urban area and includes land and water along the southern Background: side of the Pioneer River, including the City centre core, and extends east to the coastal frontage along Binnington Esplanade The inability for foreign flagged superyachts to charter in Australia is the biggest inhibitor to growth in the Australian superyacht (Town Beach). The PDA development scheme facilitates preferred development outcomes to support economic and community industry. The Whitsundays is regarded as a world class sailing destination however Australia is unable to compete with outcomes sought by the PDA and the public realm vision and concepts shown in the Mackay Waterfront master plan. neighbouring international destinations of Fiji and New Zealand due to current legislation.

Opportunity: Opportunity: The Mackay Waterfront PDA provides many opportunities to improve the region’s liveability, attract investment, skills and Allowing foreign flagged superyachts to charter in Australia requires revision of the Coast Trading (Revitalising Australian residents, and revitalise the inner city through the redevelopment of the waterfronts; fostering and supporting innovation and Shipping) Act 2012 and/or new Charter legislation. Benefits to changing or developing new legislation include: knowledge industries; promotion of the city centre as a key regional business hub; and providing exciting, activated and people- • No requirement for Government investment to secure large economic benefits through legislation change. orientated streets, places and attractions. The redevelopment of the waterfront areas will set the scene for significant urban transformation for the city, that establishes Mackay as a nationally recognised destination of choice to live, work, invest, do • Increase in superyacht visitation has a direct correlation on visitor length of stay and associated expenditure, therefore business, study and holiday. providing a huge boost to Whitsunday region tourism. • Increased direct and indirect jobs in the tourism and professional marine industries.

Action: Action: Greater Whitsunday Alliance calls for the State and Federal Governments to commit to significantly funding the Greater Whitsunday Alliance calls for the Federal Government to revise the Coast Trading (Revitalising Australian development and delivery of the public realm improvements and economic initiatives in the Mackay Waterfront PDA. Shipping) Act 2012 and/or develop new Charter legislation.)

6 Regional Priorities Greater Whitsunday Alliance Greater Whitsunday Alliance Regional Priorities 7 Policy Area: Enabling Infrastructure Policy Area: Enabling Infrastructure Bruce Highway flood mitigation, Whitsundays Hamilton Plains flood mitigation

Summary: approximately 10,500 daily vehicle movements on the Bruce Flood proofing the Bruce Highway in the Whitsunday region, Highway at Proserpine, therefore indicating that the economic Queensland’s major north-south corridor, is imperative for impact of stranding motorists and freight companies community safety, accessibility and business continuity. is significant. Greater Whitsunday Alliance’s recommendation is that the Opportunity: Federal Government works closely with the Queensland Fast track planning for flood mitigation works for the Bruce Government to develop a flood mitigation plan for the Bruce Highway to deliver the regional community a range of Summary: Opportunity: Highway by the end of 2019. benefits including: Greater Whitsunday Alliance recommends all levels of Hamilton Plains experiences regular periods of submergence Background: government commit construction funds to flood proofing the every wet season, isolating coastal communities. Flood • All weather continuity of business to ensure the movement The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s major north-south corridor Proserpine to Shute Harbour Road at Hamilton Plains. proofing Hamilton Plains has immediate and direct of critical freight including food, water, mail and resources. connecting coastal communities with Brisbane and spans impact including: • Maintenance of the critical tourism link between Whitsunday Background: some 450km in the Greater Whitsunday region from south of Coast Airport and Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. Hamilton Plains on the Proserpine to Shute Harbour Road • Ensuring connectivity between Proserpine and Airlie Beach. St Lawrence to north of Gumlu. is a notorious flood plain and prone to seasonal flooding. • Significant community safety impacts (access to hospital • Protecting the world class tourism industry of Airlie Beach. Goorganga Plains is an eleven (11) kilometre stretch of the The Proserpine to Shute Harbour Road connects to the and medical services). • Significant community safety impacts (access to hospital Bruce Highway in the Whitsunday region, south of Proserpine, Bruce Highway and is the key service route for thousands of and medical services). which is prone to regular seasonal flooding. There are residents living in Airlie Beach and other key communities.

Action: Action: State and Federal Governments to develop a flood mitigation plan for the Bruce Highway in the Whitsunday region State and Federal Governments to commit construction funds to flood proofing Hamilton Plains as a matter of urgency. section of the Proserpine Shute Harbour Road.

8 Regional Priorities Greater Whitsunday Alliance Greater Whitsunday Alliance Regional Priorities 9 Policy Area: Enabling Infrastructure Policy Area: Enabling Infrastructure Peak Downs Highway upgrades Urannah Water Scheme

Summary: Opportunity: As a high value supply chain route with major impact on the Broadly there are three main projects on the Peak Downs national economy, Greater Whitsunday Alliance recommends Highway. Widening of sections between Mackay and Nebo the State and Federal Governments invest in improving the and widening of sections between Nebo and Clermont. Peak Downs Highway as a matter of urgency. Additionally, replacement of eight narrow bridges between Nebo and Clermont is also required. The total approximate Background: cost of these three projects is $50m over the next The Peak Downs Highway is one of the most valuable supply ten (10) years. chain routes in Queensland and is estimated to contribute some $7 billion of GRP annually. Improving the Peak Downs Highway has not only direct economic impacts across the regional supply chain, but most importantly, has significant safety implications to the thousands of workers travelling every day.

Action: Greater Whitsunday Alliance recommends to the State and Federal Governments to commit construction funds to widening and bridge replacement program on the Peak Downs Highway to maintain investment in a nationally significant supply chain route.

Summary: Long term regional water security to community and industry is a key concern for North Queensland communities and industry proponents. Providing long term commitments to the future of water security in regions is necessary for continued investment and GRP output.

Background: The Urannah Water Scheme is a new large-scale, irrigation precinct and renewable energy (Hydro power) generation scheme located approximately 90km west of Mackay in North Queensland.

Urannah Dam was first proposed in 1956. Since 2015 lead project proponent, Bowen Collinsville Enterprise (BCE) has prepared reports and sought funding from the Australian Government National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. In 2017, BCE granted $3 million to undertake an examination of the economic feasibility of Urannah Dam. In 2019, BCE was allocated a further $10 million by the Australian Government for the financial investment case.

Opportunity: The Urannah Water Scheme has a broad range of community impacts including:

• Over 40,000 hectares of irrigation land would be supported. • Over 100mn of renewable energy production. • 1.5m mega litre storage capacity. • Ability to gravity feed water to the Bowen and Galilee Basins. • Offers water security for farming, agricultural and industrial land across the Mackay and Whitsunday regions.

Action: Greater Whitsunday Alliance urges the State and Federal Governments to consider the strategic importance of establishing long term water security for the region by committing to funding the Urannah Water Scheme.

10 Regional Priorities Greater Whitsunday Alliance Greater Whitsunday Alliance Regional Priorities 11 Po Box 1076 Mackay Qld 4740

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